A “chemo care package for her” is a carefully crafted care package for a special woman who is going through chemotherapy.
It’s October after all, which means it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
And while I’m not fond of the marketing machine around any form of cancer, I recognize that raising awarness is key.
Every day, more than 700 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer
(Source: National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.)
So, I participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month every year with at least one dedicated post.
Handmade Chemo Care Items Are Helpful All Year
My main focus, however, is providing relevant information all throughout the year.
Because the day a woman receives her diagnosis and treatment plan is one of the most difficult of her life.
So when that happens and people head to the interwebs to find how to make things that help breast cancer patients?
I want Create To Donate to be THE place where makers will always find detailed tutorials and free patterns that meet their needs.
Include These Must Have Items In A Cancer Care Package
Making cancer support items from scratch, however, is not always an option.
So I have pulled together a carefully curated (and fairly extensive) list of must-have items you should include in a care package for women going through cancer treatments.
HEARTFELT HANDMADE ITEMS
Going through chermotherpy can make the simplest of things uncomfortable.
These handmade items enchance a person's comfort and will be extra special because you made them.
Any one of these 22 free crochet patterns would make a great chemo cap. Gift one to someone you know, or make a handful to donate to an organization in need.
This port pillow pattern and tutorial offers detailed instructions and free SVGs to make an inspirational mantra seat belt protector for cancer patients.
A chemo port pillow is a small, soft pillow that people attach to a seat belt to protect their chemo port.
These are also called: port-a-cath pillows or port seat belt protectors.
This "port softie" is intended to relieve any pressure or rubbing from the seat belt.
Some people also use these for purse straps if the area around the port is especially tender.
These are the perfect item to include when you gift a chemo care bag to someone fighting cancer.
This tutorial walks you through how to make a motivational bracelet for cancer patients using t-shirt material and square letter beads.
Each bracelet should take less than 15 minues.
This DIY wrap bracelet is an easy project to take with you for when you have time you want to fill those little gaps you have while waiting on kids or family.
A pair of these handmade socks could be great during chemo or after she comes home and needs to rest.
Two in one fun crochet reversible socks! Fun to make with tips to help make this into perfection.
SELF-CARE CHEMO ITEMS FOR HER
Chemotherapy can wreak havoc on a person's skin.
This which means having a nourishing lotion body and something on hand to soothe dry, cracked lips is important as a woman is going through her treatment.
It also impacts the inside of a person's mouth, so soothing sprays are also appreciated.
This lotion comes in a 16 fl oz bottle- and is fragrance free, paraben free and non GMO.
This kit includes key items for a person's face, body & and feet..
The oncology kit for women includes: oncology botanicals, recovery and foot support. (3 - 4 oz) plus lip balm and aromatherapy for nausea.
This mouth spray comes in a pack of two and is fast acting and non-acidic.
It also contains maximum-strength xylitol which supports mouth and gum health.
This Cetaphil hydrating and moisturizing cream is for dry to very dry, sensitive skin.
It comes in a 20 oz container and is fragrance free, non-comedogenic, and non-greasy.
Oncology lip balm is USDA Organic and designed to hydrate dry, parched lips.
It comes in a 3 pack which allows a womean to keep a lip balm in herchemo care bag, her purse, and in the car.
This is another tried and true option for dry, cracked lips.
This package contains two lip balm sticks.
COMFY CLOTHING DURING CHEMOTHERAPY
Temperature regulation is tough when a woman is going through chemotherapy.
Also, a lot of people have a permanent chemo port that is used during their treatment.
This means, it's helpful to have clothing options that accommodate the port.
This shirt makes port access easy.
This brand also offers a short sleeve version if long sleeves aren't the recipient's thing.
This chest port access shirt is another option for a women going through chemotherapy.
This is a 3/4" sleeve so a good middle ground for someone who wants a little big longer sleeve than a typical short sleeve shirt.
Temperature regulation is sometimes hard when a woman is going through chemotherapy.
Seasonal weather changes can also create issues (yes, I mean you Winter).
So, having a warm pullover with port access will be an extremely useful and thoughtful gift.
Thick socks are always welcome when someone is going through chemotherapy.
HYDRATION IS KEY DURING CHEMO
Hydration is important in every day life and even more important when a woman is going through chemotherapy.
I know that the Stanley tumbler is all the rage right now, but many people are reporting that it leaks.
The last thing a person going through chemotherpay needs is to have an unexpected spill.
So, I found this tumbler with a threaded lid and internal straw with an easy-to-grip handle.
This is an insulated, stainless steel travel mug that keeps drink cold for 24 hours.
This isn't medical advice, but green tea contains many components that support a person's immune system, among other benefits.
The Yogi tea is described as supporting, "overall Health with licorice root, lemongrass, and jasmine".
This great tea contains caffeine and this box includes 96 organic green tea bags.
Ginger and mint are supposed to help with nausea, so this tea is great for the negative side effects of chemotherapy
This includes 100 tea bags, is non-GMO and gluten-free.
The loose leaf tea bags come in a resealable ziplock pouch.
MINDSET IS KEY
The mind body connection is a very important one.
So, including items that allow a person to focus on something other than their treatment is a key part of a chemo care package for her.
Any one of these inspirational coloring pages will provide a person with an opportunity to be creative and stay positive.
If you print all of the free coloring pages, you can pull together your own little coloring book.
This winter wolf is not only stunning to look at it but also a great symbol of strength.
The lined journal is the perfect size of a purse or small bag and will allow a person to write down their ideas and throughts whenever necessary.
Simple but effetive pens are always apprecaited and these Paper Mate pens do the trick.
This is a pack of 24 so you could even keep a couple for yourself.
These coloring pencils make the perfect pair with the free coloring pages.
I like this option because there are a vareity of colors and shades that come in an easy-to-carry case.
Care Packages Are Always A Special Gift
For a person battling cancer, a chemo care package of any size if always appreciated – even if you’re only able to print coloring pages and accompany them with a positive note.
So, who will you honor this month with a chemo care package for her?